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Largest Exhibition of Irish Children’s Book Illustrations comes to IMMA

Pictiúr,
an exhibition of work by leading Irish children’s book illustrators, concludes its successful Irish tour when it opens at the Irish Museum of Modern Art on 14 November 2013.
Pictiúr
is the largest single exhibition of Irish children’s book illustration ever assembled, curated by Laureate na nÓg, Niamh Sharkey, the exhibition features 42 pieces by 21 illustrators, from books written in English and Irish, including illustrators Oliver Jeffers, P.J. Lynch, Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick and Steve Simpson.
The official launch by Frances Fitzgerald, T.D., Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, takes place at 4.30pm on Wednesday 13 November.
For its showing at IMMA the exhibition will also present a selection of videos exploring the world and practice of many of the illustrators, their sketchbooks, three-dimensional works and family friendly reading pods for those who wish to escape into the world of the illustrators and the featured books. A busy series of events is also planned these include a book clinic where parents and children can meet a
Book Doctor
who can offer the best advice for young readers; a panel discussion with artists and illustrators on the place of illustration within contemporary art; poetry readings with poets who feature in the O’Brien Press anthology
Something Beginning with P
; and a
Pictiúr Family Day
which will open up the wondrous world of literature and visual arts to all the family!

Commenting on the exhibition at IMMA, Laureate na nÓg, Niamh Sharkey said ‘We were thrilled and excited to be concluding our Irish tour at IMMA. This is the home of the best of contemporary art and we are delighted to showcase this wonderful work by some of our leading artists. The exhibition will allow us to demonstrate the range, scope and skill of Irish illustrators, whose work is world class. We are very grateful to the Arts Council and IMMA for their support in making this possible.’
Illustrators included are Lily Bernard, Alan Clarke, Michael Emberley, Tatiana Feeney, Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick, Adrienne Geoghegan, Olivia Golden, Chris Haughton, Paul Howard, Oliver Jeffers, Anita Jeram, Chris Judge, PJ Lynch, Oisin McGann, Mary Murphy, Donough O’Malley, Niamh Sharkey, Steve Simpson, Kevin Waldron, Olwyn Whelan and Andrew Whitson.
IMMA are delighted to be co-curating the final stage of this touring exhibition.
Pictiúr
toured to Europe earlier this year as part of the Culture Connects International Culture Programme to celebrate Ireland’s Presidency of the European Council. It was seen by more than 25,000 people in four countries. It was also shown in Draíocht Arts Centre in Blanchardstown and the Galway Arts Centre as part of the Baboró Children’s Festival. A film of the European tour can be seen at (External)
http://youtu.be/qzL4j6n8tow
.

The Irish tour is supported by the Arts Council’s Touring and Dissemination Scheme.
Pictiúr
opens at IMMA on 14 November 2013 and continues until 12 January 2014. The exhibition is located in the vaulted area approaching and within the IMMA Café itsa @imma.

Family Book Clinic
Saturday 23 November, 12 – 3pm, Lunch Room
Looking for a new series to delve into? Feeling uninspired by your bookshelves at home? Do you need a prescription for an exciting new read? Then pop along to the Book Clinic! Parents and children of all ages are invited to drop in for informal chat with one of Children’s Books Ireland’s friendly panel of Book Doctors, who are ready to offer the best advice for the young readers in your family. There’ll also be impromptu readings and games along the way!

Panel Discussion on the place of illustration within visual art
Thursday 5 December, 6.00pm, Lecture Room
Panel Discussion on the place of illustration within visual art, with artists and illustrators. Speakers include Felicity Clear (artist), P.J. Lynch (illustrator) and others. Booking is essential. Free tickets are available online at
www.imma.ie/talksandlecures

Something Beginning with P
Poetry Reading
Sunday 15 December, 2pm, Johnston Room
Alan Clarke’s Illustration from Pictiúr, The giraffe who lived in a shoe, is featured in the O’Brien Press anthology, Something Beginning with P, edited by Seamus Cashman. To celebrate Pictiúr at IMMA, some of the poets featured in Something Beginning with P will do a poetry reading.
Pictiúr Family Day
Saturday 11 January, 11.00am-3.00pm, please ask at Gallery Reception for locations
Family Day with Niamh Sharkey and other authors and artists. Join us to enjoy picture books and open up the wondrous world of literature and visual arts.
All family events are free to attend and are drop-in.